Genetic Engineering

• Genetic Engineering


  Recombinant DNA technology - a process of making changes to the genetic code of an organism
• Transgenic Organism


  An individual that receives Recombinant DNA
• DNA Cloning


  Process of making multiple, identical copies of a particular piece of DNA (aka gene)
• • Its goal is to add ONE OR MORE NEW TRAITS of an organism
• a piece of DNA is combined with another DNA from another source. The resulting genetic product is called Recombinant DNA
• step 1 - The isolation of DNA fragments (or specific genes) from a donor organism.
• step 2 - The insertion of an isolated donor DNA fragment into a vector genome
• step 3 - The growth of a recombinant vector in an appropriate recipient host

  organism
• examples of recombinant DNA

  • bt eggplant
  • reproducing human insulin using a bacteria
• The process of making a recombinant DNA

  1. DNA is removed from the cell nucleus

  2. Scientists remove plasmid DNA from bacteria

  3. A gene is cut from the DNA strand

  4. Scientists cut open the plasmid

  5. The cut ends of the plasmid DNA and the human DNA will attach to form a new loop of plasmid DNA, called Recombinant DNA
• Polymerase Chain Reaction


  1. Ready the ingredients for the PCR

  2. Put all of them inside the test tube containing a buffer

  3. Put the test tube inside the thermal cycler
• Things needed for the Polymerase Chain Reaction

  • Portion of the DNA that will be reproduced
  • Buffer
  • Primer
  • DNA Polymerase (Taq)
  • Nucleotides
• PCR Sequence


  1. Denaturation- Addition of heat needed to separate the two strands of the DNA molecule

  2. Annealing - The two separated strands will be cooled. These strands will be synthesized by the help of the primers. These primers will bind to the specific segment of DNA that you want to make copies of

  3. DNA Synthesis - DNA Polymerase will work with both strands and will use the DNA nucleotides to amplify the strands. The temperature should be ideal for the DNA polymerase used
• Repeat PCR Sequence


  Until the needed copies of DNA are produced
• Gel Electrophoresis


  1. Take the specific DNA sample/s that will be used

  2. Cut into specific regions using restriction enzymes

  3. Put a Gel (agarose) and put it inside the Gel Electrophoresis Machine

  4. Place the gel with DNA to the side of the machine where it is negatively charged (DNA is negatively charged because of the phosphates)

  5. Turn on the machine with the electric current for the DNA to move towards the positive side of the machine

  6. Stain the gel and view the DNA Bands under the Ultraviolet Light

  7. Distinguish the DNA by their places ( Longer DNA pieces have a higher molecular weight, thus they are more likely to move slowly, whereas shorter DNA pieces tend to move faster than longer ones.)

  8. Compare the bands to look for similarities
• Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis


  Gene screening - performed before embryo transfer during IVF
• Genetic testing


  Identifies changes in genes, chromosomes, or proteins - results of a genetic test can confirm or rule out a suspected genetic condition
• Disease treatment


  • Genetically modified virus in gene therapy
  • Making vaccines
  • Hormone therapy (removes, blocks, or adds specific hormones to the body)
  • Gene editing using the CRISPR-Cas9 technique
• Gene therapy


  Mechanism by which genetic diseases are treated or cured by masking the effect of a faulty allele by the insertion of a functional allele
• Types of gene therapy

  • In Vivo - is a form of gene therapy where vectors containing the genes of interest are delivered directly to the cells of the organism
  • Ex Vivo - is gene therapy in which cells are removed from an organism, and DNA is injected to correct a genetic defect; the cells are returned to the organism to treat a disease or disorder
• Designer Babies


  • HIV resistant twins (Lulu and Nana)
  • Gene Edit to cure genetically passed Leukemia (Adam Nash)